Parents, are you afraid that your child will forget everything they’ve learned over the summer break? Including what they’ve learned in speech-language therapy? It’s pretty common for students to leave the school building at the end of May without taking with them some of the knowledge and skills we’ve worked hard all school year to teach them. If you want ideas to maintain their articulation skills, below are some suggestions provided by a school speech-language pathologist:
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- Ask for a current word list with your child’s target sounds from your child’s speech-language pathologist at school. It can be words or pictures of the words. You can also “Google” or search online (or in dictionaries if you’re old school) for word lists with their target sounds. Remember, their sounds can be found in different positions of the words (initial, medial, final). Make copies of the pictures of the words. If you are given written words, your child can draw what they think the word would “look” like and make copies of their drawings, or again, you can search for your own pictures online, in magazines, etc. After you make several copies, color your pictures and cut them out. With these cut outs, you can play “Go Fish”, matching/memory games, “Bingo”, etc. You can also incorporate these pictures into family game night (ex. If your child rolls a 5 on the dice, he has to say 5 words correctly before he can take his turn at Monopoly).
- Go for a scavenger hunt. Try to find as many items on your list as possible while discussing the target words.
- Make a craft. Flip through magazines, newspapers, comic books, etc. and find pictures or words that include your child’s speech sounds. Cut them out, highlight them, underline them, and make a collage. You can modge podge a flower pot, a folder for their speech words, etc. The sky’s the limit!!
- Leave copies in your car. As you’re driving your child can practice. Making this a habit all school year is a good idea too!
- Keep a word journal. Every day, give your child a new speech word that includes his sound. If your child is unfamiliar with the word’s meaning-look it up! Write the definition, a silly sentence, and draw a picture! If your child is too young to write, let him trace the word and then draw the picture after he tells you a sentence or something about the word.
- Finally, keep a sticker chart. This is a great visual tool that I use in my classroom to keep track of who completes their homework on a regular basis. For example, every day your child completes their speech homework, they get a sticker. In my classroom, once their chart is full, I let them pick a prize out of my treasure box! You will know what motivates your child, so you can decide/negotiate what his prize will be. Maybe it’s a special snack, a trip to the movies, or a new toy! Whatever works with you!
Remember to consult with your child’s SLP regarding what speech sounds to target and at what level your child is working at. They are a great resource for ideas over summer break. They can also supply materials, worksheets, etc. Hopefully, these ideas will make speech homework more enjoyable!
Sydney Page M.S.,
CCC-SLP
TherapyWorks